Free the Mind

Both screenings will feature a Q&A and a "breathing session" facilitated
by Debra Joy Eklove (International Association of Human Values) with assistance from Asia Nelson, Founder, Pranalife Yoga.

“Dr. Richard Davidson is a neuroscientist and was a longtime “closet meditator” before he combined his passions to become the world’s leading expert on the scientific study of meditation. He’s not the subject of Free the Mind, but his ideas propel this compelling film forward, drawing the viewers into his twin studies of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Iraq War veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“While these disparate populations might not seem to be logical twins, they share more in common than you’d think, and the parallel storylines coax you into questioning not only the hidden potential of humanity, but the possible applications in your life as well. Will, a toddler with ADHD, wears his emotional turmoil on his face. His anger, frustration and joy is so transparent that it’s hard not to empathize with him. Stephen and Rich have both returned from tours of duty in Iraq and are closed and opaque young men. They are heavily reliant on medication to sleep, and complain of the constant anxiety and overwhelming emotions associated with PTSD.
“Both the troubled child and the broken men have experienced trauma, and both of them, guided by Davidson and his team of meditation neuroscientists, will confront those traumas and overcome them, armed with the tools of meditation. Whether you buy the new-age Zen talk or not, it’s hard to argue with the results. As the sweatpants-clad vets do breathing exercises and yoga stretches, their anxieties start to slip away. The children learn to recognize their emotions and develop coping mechanisms for their anger.” - Toronto Star